Lloyd Jones and Richard Baker both died after raves at Alexandra Palace last November
Coroner rules overdose, not rogue ecstasy, killed Ally Pally raver
by Stephen Moore
Thursday, July 19, 2012
6:00 AM
A clubber feared poisoned by a rogue batch of ecstasy during a dance event at Alexandra Palace died of a simple overdose, an inquest heard yesterday.
Lloyd Jones, 21, collapsed and died after taking the drug during a rave at the Palace on November 26 last year.
Another raver, 20-year-old Richard Baker, from Chessington, Surrey, collapsed and died at the same venue the next night.
The men’s deaths sparked a drugs alert from police amid fears a lethal batch of contaminated ecstasy was circulating in the area.
But an inquest at North London Coroner’s Court on Wednesday heard post-mortem and toxicology results pointed to a straight overdose.
Dr Simon Poole, who conducted the post-mortem, concluded the cause of death was the toxic effects of MDMA - the powdered form of the potent party drug - and that he had suffered multiple organ failure as a result.
Traces of MDMA, caffeine, and possible amphetamines were found in his body, toxicologist Dr Dawn Reed told the inquest - but no alcohol.
The court heard Mr Jones was likely to have picked up the class A substance inside the venue.
Det Sgt Steve Baldwin, who investigated the death, said: “We looked at every part of the actual music event itself, and one of the strands was to speak to all of Mr Jones’ friends who attended the event with him. Basically, it is believed he bought the drugs from inside the event.”
He lost touch with his friends inside and when they later met “it was clear something was wrong”, he added.
Mr Jones, of Thornhurst Avenue, Oswestry, Shropshire, was rushed to The Whittington Hospital in Archway, north London, but died in the early hours of the morning.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Andrew Walker said it was likely Mr Jones had died as the result of an overdose, rather than taking tainted drugs.
Pally staff and organisers Lock’N’Load Events were absolved of all blame in a report earlier this year to Palace trustees.
After his death, Mr Jones’ family issued a statement warning others against illegal drug use, which read: “We ask anyone thinking of taking any illegal substances to refrain, even under duress from peer pressure, or to contact a support agency.”
Most Read News
Crouch End pub hauled before licensing after street brawl
A Crouch End pub is being hauled before Haringey’s licensing committee on Tuesday over fears for public safety – but the licensee says its just a case of the police being “heavy-handed”.
Other News Articles
- Photo gallery: Thousands flock to Fair in the Square in Highgate as disco-dancing sheep take to stage
- Muswell Hill men recognised for services to the community in Queen’s birthday honours
- Crouch End pub hauled before licensing after street brawl
- Landmarks ‘sold’ to highest bidder in land grab protests
- Host of Haringey residents recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list
- Muswell Hill mum jailed for part in prison smuggling conspiracy
- Haringey elderly put best feet forward for Falls Awareness Week
- Alexander Litvinenko death: Ruling over public inquiry due in July
- Obituary: Distinguished Highgate teacher and magistrate Enid Evans dies after a long illness
- Fireworks display could return to Ally Pally
- What to expect from Fair In The Square 2013 in Highgate this weekend
- Concerns over plans for Hornsey Depot
- Council reneges on promise to repair 250 council houses in Highgate and Crouch End
- Haringey shoppers quizzed on food hygiene
- Royal visitor tours Muswell Hill garden
- Python found lurking by ladies swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath
- ‘Unbelievable’: Crouch End dad suffered double cardiac arrest as he picked up newborn son - but lived to tell the tale
- Former Ofsted chief inspector to lead drive to improve Haringey’s schools
- Man who died in Archway Bridge plunge is named
- Fire at Muswell Hill Islamic centre was arson, police confirm
- My Crouch End: Clare Richmond
- Haringey ‘worse than average’ for premature deaths
- GALLERY: Crouch End Festival gets off to an “amazing” start
- Views sought on redevelopment of Crouch End’s Park Road Leisure Centre
- Grave of royal photographer Francis Bedford found at Highgate Cemetery
-
Use our Wedding site to help you plan your big day! - At WeddingSite we know how much you have to organise for your wedding day, that's why we have designed a set of FREE, simple-to-use tools to make the planning process easy & hassle-free. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a date using our online dating and friend finder - You can meet new friends, find romance or simply meet up online with people sharing similar interests and hobbies. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a local business using our online directory search - Need a plumber? Or a florist? Or anything else? Search our business directory to find Hornsey businesses in just a few seconds. FIND OUT MORE
-
Family notices from the Broadway, with readers' tributes - In memoriam, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, best wishes & special days. FIND OUT MORE
Celebrity / Showbiz See all
Brick Lane Comedy Festival cancelled after opposition from community groups
A comedy festival in east London due to feature acts including Al Murray, Alan Davies and Ed Byrne has been cancelled because of “heavy opposition from local community groups”.